Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning 1222 Washington topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Neighbors ask for zoning review after city purchase plan for 1222 Washington Street
Summary
At the Feb. 24 Planning & Development Committee meeting, a resident said neighbors were 'blindsided' by the citys plan to acquire 1222 Washington Street and asked that any new building undergo a zoning review and public notice. Staff explained next steps in the zoning/variance process and how neighbors will be notified.
Resident Beth Cerny urged the City of Evanstons Planning & Development Committee on Feb. 24 to require a formal zoning review and public hearing before the city proceeds with plans for 1222 Washington Street.
Cerny, identifying herself as a neighbor at 1222 Washington, said residents were "blindsided" by the city's planned purchase and asked that the property be subject to a zoning hearing because it is a nonconforming lot that does not meet current size rules. "The lot is approximately 50 feet wide and 92 feet deep. It's only 4,621 square feet," she said during the public-comment period, adding that the minimum lot size under current zoning is 5,000 square feet.
The matter matters to nearby residents because, Cerny said, the parcel now serves as green space with mature trees and wildlife and sits next to Pope John School and the Lydia Home; she urged consideration of preservation and potential educational uses. She also said the proposed building would be a new home that "does not comply with the current zoning regulations" and asked the city to hold a public zoning hearing rather than treat it as an administrative matter.
Director Flax and city staff told the committee that no zoning analysis application has yet been received and that the next procedural step is for the applicant or the city to submit a zoning analysis. Staff explained three possible outcomes once an application arrives: no variance required (in which case the applicant applies for a building permit and neighbors are not notified), a minor variation that is reviewed administratively by staff (neighbors within 250 feet will receive postcard notice and can appeal the administrative decision to the Land Use Commission), or a major variation that the Land Use Commission would review directly.
"If this proposal does trigger what is known as a major variation, it will go to the Land Use Commission for their review. If it's a minor [variation], that is an administrative staff review," staff said, adding that neighbors would receive notice and have appeal rights in the administrative route as well.
Committee members also said the Ward meeting schedule and a planned meeting with SIPA staff and the high school will provide additional opportunities for resident input. No formal action was taken by the Planning & Development Committee on this matter during the meeting.
Next steps identified by staff: an applicant (city or private) must file a zoning analysis application; staff will then determine whether no variance, a minor variance, or a major variance is required and will follow the notification and appeal paths described to the committee. Residents were told they will receive postcard notice if the project triggers an administrative review and that an appeal pathway to the Land Use Commission exists if they disagree with the staff decision.
The committee moved on after the exchange; staff and neighbors indicated follow-up meetings were planned in the coming weeks.
